Current Affairs – 21st May 2024

Strength of nation’s defence not only lies in its military might, but also the ability to leverage cultural heritage as source of power: Raksha Rajya Mantri Shri Ajay Bhatt

  1. As part of ‘Project Udbhav’, a seminar-cum-exhibition on ‘Historical Patterns of Indian Strategic Culture’was held at the National Museum in New Delhi on May 21, 2024. Raksha Rajya Mantri Shri Ajay Bhatt graced the event as the Chief Guest. The event witnessed the inauguration of an exhibition on ‘Evolution of Indian Military Systems, Warfighting, and Strategic Thoughts, from Antiquity to Independence’, besides the release of ‘Udbhav Compendium’ and a book ‘Alha Udal – Ballad Rendition of Western Uttar Pradesh’.
  2. In his address, the Raksha Rajya Mantri commended the Indian Army and the United Service Institution of India (USI) for the ‘Project Udbhav’ initiative, which aims to explore the country’s ancient texts and oral traditions to unearth invaluable insights into its strategic culture. “The geopolitical landscape is ever-evolving, and it is imperative for our Armed Forces to be adaptive and innovative in their approach. By delving into our ancient texts and traditions, projects like Udbhav not only enrich our understanding of strategic culture, but also provide valuable insights into unconventional warfare strategies, diplomatic practices and ethical considerations in warfare,” he said.
  3. Sharing his views on the road ahead, Shri Ajay Bhatt underlined the importance of recognising the strength of the nation’s defence which, he said, lies not only in its military might, but also in the ability to adapt to changing circumstances and leverage the cultural heritage as a source of power. He described initiatives like ‘Project Udbhav’ as a guiding light for a future where India is self-reliant, and deeply rooted in its cultural heritage.
  4. The Raksha Rajya Mantri emphasised that the spirit of Aatmanirbhar Bharat is not limited to merely production and consumption of Indian goods, but also to make sincere endeavours to imbibe the essence of Indian thought and values in the current actions and decisions. He added that the goal of Viksit Bharat can only be realised when the nation as a whole grasps the invaluable wisdom of ancient past and apply it contextually to shape modern-day ambitions and policies.
  5. Shri Ajay Bhatt appreciated the fact that the ‘Project Udbhav’ has strengthened the ‘Whole of Nations’ approach by deepening civil-military collaboration at the intellectual level, bringing academia, scholars, practitioners, and military experts on a common table. He emphasised that the findings of the project will not only enhance the strategic capabilities of the Indian Army, but also serve as a testament to the timeless relevance of India’s ancient wisdom.
  6. Speaking on the occasion, Chief of the Army Staff General Manoj Pande said Project Udbhav has revealed substantial intellectual convergences between eminent Indian and Western scholars, highlighting the resonance between their thoughts, philosophies and perspectives. He added that the endeavour has catalysed exploration into new areas by unveiling India’s tribal traditions, the Maratha Naval legacy, and the individual heroic exploits of military figures, particularly women.
  7. “The Project has delved deep into ancient texts such as Vedas, Puranas, Upanishads and Arthashastra, which are rooted in inter-connectedness, righteousness and ethical values. Furthermore, it has explored the epic battles of the Mahabharata and the strategic brilliance practiced during the reigns of Mauryas, Guptas and Marathas, which has shaped India’s rich military heritage,” said General Manoj Pande.

Exhibition

The Exhibition on ‘Evolution of Indian Military Systems, Warfighting, and Strategic Thoughts, from Antiquity to Independence’ visually portrayed the evolution of Indian military systems and the philosophical underpinnings of the nation’s military culture. The exhibition utilised artifacts, prints, manuscripts and miniature paintings from the rich collections of the National Museum and is open for everyone for the next ten days.

Compendium

The ‘Udbhav Compendium (2023-2024)’ is designed to be a record for future scholarship and education on India’s ancient wisdom for military affairs in particular and statecraft in general. It comprises six chapters & multiple appendices encompassing the key findings and takeaways from the activities & events organised as part of Project Udbhav. It also gives out the way forward for future research and deliberations to provide a base for subsequent studies.

Panel Discussion

  1. The event concluded with with a healthy discourse on a thematically-designed Panel Discussion on ‘Ancient Indian Traditions of Military Ethics and Culture’to revive and reassess the country’s ancient corpus of wisdom on state and war-craft.
  2. Project Udbhav was launched by Raksha Mantri Shri Rajnath Singh during the Indian Military Heritage Festival on October 21, 2023. Deputy Director General, USI Maj Gen PK Goswami (Retd), senior serving Armed Forces personnel, veterans and scholars also attended the event.

Manipuri Pony

Recently, the Government of Manipur has joined hands with various organisations and associations to save the Manipuri Pony or Meitei Sagol, its fabled equine, from vanishing into the pages of history.

Manipuri Pony:

  1. It is also known as Meitei Sagol and is one of the seven recognised horse and pony breeds of India.
  2. The others include the Marwari Horse, the Kathiawari Horse, the Zanskari Pony, the Spiti Pony, the Bhutia Pony and the Kachhi-Sindhi Horse.
  3. It is a small breed of 11 to 13 Hands, is known for its unique stamina, agility, intelligence, speed, mano euvrability and great adaptability to harsh geoclimatic conditions.
  4. The breed is regarded as the original polo pony as modern polo is derived from the traditional Sagol Kangjei sport of Manipur.
  5. The ponies figure prominently in the Manipuri way of life. Besides traditional events like Lai haraoba and being used in sports like polo and horseraces,
  6. They were also utilised as mounts by cavalry of the Manipur Kingdom which was feared throughout upper Burma during the 17th century.
  7. Status:The Manipur government declared the Manipuri Pony as an Endangered Breed in 2013.

Factors responsible for the decline

  1. Shrinkage of wetlands, the natural habitat of the Manipuri Pony due to rapid urbanisation and encroachment;
  2. Lack of polo grounds/polo playing areas in rural Manipur;
  3. Restriction of pony usage except in the game of polo;
  4. Uncontrolled diseases; and the exodus of ponies to neighbouring states and countries.

Nucleo Synthesis

Stellar Nucleo synthesis

Nucleo synthesis is the process by which stars create elements within their cores. The sole exception is hydrogen, the most abundant and lightest element in the universe, which originated in the immediate aftermath of the Big Bang.

  1. Extreme Conditions in Stellar Cores: The cores of stars experience immense pressures and temperatures.
  2. For instance, the temperature in the Sun’s core reaches approximately 15 million degrees Celsius. Under these extreme conditions, atomic nuclei undergo nuclear fusion.
  3. Fusion Process in Hydrogen:The hydrogen nucleus consists of a single proton. In the stellar core, these nuclei fuse to create helium nuclei, which contain two protons and two neutrons. This fusion process is known as the proton-proton (p-p) chain.
  4. Nucleo synthesis in Massive Stars:However, in more massive stars, stellar nucleo synthesis follows a different route due to the higher energy available. These stars have hotter cores where the carbon-nitrogen-oxygen (CNO) cycle operates.
  5. In this cycle, the nuclei of carbon, nitrogen, and oxygen interact in various ways to form elements starting from helium. Iron production: When a star runs out of nuclei to fuse, its core contracts, leading to an increase in temperature that reignites nuclear fusion.

CNO cycle: It refers to the Carbon-Nitrogen-Oxygen cycle, a process of stellar nucleosynthesis in which stars on the Main Sequence fuse hydrogen into helium via a six-stage sequence of reactions.

Supernova: A supernova happens when a star has reached the end of its life and explodes in a brilliant burst of light.

  1. This cycle of contraction and fusion continues until thestar begins producing iron in its core. Iron is the lightest element for which fusion requires more energy than it releases.
  2. Elements heavier than iron can only be synthesized outside a star when it goes supernova.

 

Sea otters get more prey and reduce tooth damage using tools

When not crushing prey with their teeth, the otters float on their backs when feeding and use rocks, shells and discarded bottles as hammers or anvils to smash open hard-shelled prey

A new study has shed light on the usage of tools by marine mammals such as sea otters.

Otters, Especially Females, Use Tools to Survive a Changing World

  1. There are other animals who use different techniques to feed and survive.
  2. Chimpanzees: Use stones to crack nuts and sticks to get termites.
  3. Dolphins:Use sponges to protect their beaks while foraging.
  4. Galapagos Islands Finch:Uses cactus spines to dig grubs out of holes.

Sea Otters

  • Scientific name:  Enhydra lutris
  • These are intelligent mammals.
  • Otters are not just strong swimmers, they are resourceful problem solvers.
  • They can utilize objects in their environment, including human trash, to access food.
  • These marine mammals use rocks and other objects to break open hard prey.
  • This behaviour helps them access food that would be difficult to eat otherwise.

Conservation Status:

The U.S. Endangered Species Act lists the California sea otter as “threatened” 

IUCN lists most otter species as “endangered” or “vulnerable”.

Legal Protection: 

  1. International treaties like CITES and the International Fur Seal Treaty regulate trade and hunting to protect otters.
  2. The Marine Mammal Protection Act protects otters from harm and harassment in U.S. waters.
  3. Zoological parks play a role in raising awareness, rehabilitation, and research for otters.

Feeding Behaviour

  1. Floating Feeding Position: Otters float on their backs while feeding.
  2. Tools Used: Rocks, shells, discarded bottles.
  3. Methods: Use tools as hammers or anvils to smash open hard-shelled prey; also bash prey onto docks and boats.
  4. Common Prey: Sea urchins, abalone, crabs, mussels, clams, snails, fat innkeeper worms.

Benefits of Tool Use

  1. Access to Larger Prey:Using tools allows otters to eat certain larger prey that would otherwise be inaccessible.
  2. Reduced Tooth Damage:Tool use reduces the amount of direct biting on hard shells, thus protecting their teeth from damage.
  3. Survival technique: Tools are Essential for survival in environments with limited resources.

Main threats to Sea Otters

Disease

  1. Parasitic Infections: Intestinal worms and other parasites contribute to significant otter mortality.
  2. Infectious Diseases: Protozoal diseases are especially lethal for marine mammals.

Oil Spills

  1. Major Threat: Oil contamination poses the greatest threat to sea otters.
  2. Effects of Oil: Oil disrupts the insulating properties of their fur, causing hypothermia, and leads to ingestion or inhalation of toxic substances.
  3. Prevention: Preventing oil spills is essential to protect sea otters.
  • Habitat LossKelp Forests: The loss of kelp forests impacts sea otters by reducing their shelter and food sources.
  • PollutionPathogens and Contaminants: High levels of pollution in coastal waters expose otters to infectious diseases.
  • Human ActivitiesDirect Conflicts: Sea otters face threats from human activities such as shootings, entanglements in fishing gear, and boat strikes.

IIT Jodhpur Publish Groundbreaking Research on Air Pollution and Health Effects in Northern India

  1. Air pollution remains a critical global challenge, with severe health implications for millions of people worldwide. In a significant step towards addressing this issue, researcher from Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Jodhpur has published ground-breaking research in Nature Communications journal, shedding light on the sources and composition of particulate matter (PM) in Northern India that are harmful to human health.
  2. Contrary to the common belief that reducing overall PM mass would alleviate health impacts, this comprehensive study highlights the importance of addressing local inefficient combustion processes – such as biomass and fossil fuel burning, including traffic exhaust in effectively reducing PM-related health exposure and their associated impacts in Northern India – says Dr. Deepika Bhattu, Associate Professor and lead author of the article.
  3. The study addresses three critical scientific questions crucial for consideration of Indian Policymakers in devising data-driven, effective mitigation strategies under the ongoing National Clean Air Programme (NCAP).
  4. Fine PM (PM2.5) source identification and their absolute contribution, with unprecedented clarity between their local and regional geographical origin.
  5. A comprehensive and unequivocal distinction between directly emitted PM and those formed in the atmosphere. This is the first time such a distinction is clearly made over a large spatial and temporal scale.
  6. Determination of the harmfulness of PM by correlating its oxidative potential with local and regional sources within the study region.
  7. Leveraging the power of advanced aerosol mass spectrometry techniques and data analytics, the study was conducted at five Indo-Gangetic Plain sites, both within and outside Delhi and found that although uniformly high PM concentrations are present across the region, the chemical composition varies considerably as the local emission sources and formation processes dominate the PM pollution. Within Delhi, ammonium chloride, and organic aerosols originating directly from traffic exhaust, residential heating, and the oxidation products of fossil fuels emissions produced in the atmosphere dominate PM pollution.
  8. In contrast, outside Delhi, ammonium sulphate and ammonium nitrate, as well as secondary organic aerosols from biomass burning vapors, are the dominant contributors. However, regardless of location, the study highlighted that organic aerosols from incomplete combustion of biomass and fossil fuels, including traffic emissions, are the key contributors to the PM oxidative potential, which drives PM-associated health effects in this region.
  9. Comparing the oxidative potential of Indian PMwith countries across the Asia-Pacific and European regions reveals alarming findings. Indian PM’s oxidative potential surpasses that of Chinese and European cities by up to fivefold, marking it as one of the highest observed globally.
  10. Addressing India’s air pollution crisis requires collaboration among local communities and stakeholders as well as societal changes especially in densely populated urban areas like Delhi, Dr. Deepika Bhattu emphasizes. Moving forward, concerted sustainable efforts are needed that promote cleaner energy sources, improve combustion efficiency and reduce emissions from transportation mainly from outdated, overloaded and inefficient vehicles fleet and remove unauthorized jugaad vehicles.
  11. Our study provides valuable insights for evidence-based policies and interventions aimed at safeguarding public health and the environment for future generations. Prioritizing mitigation strategies based on the most significant health impacts, particularly targeting local inefficient combustion processes, is essential in Northern India.

‘Mother of the forests’: What a new study found about the origin of Madagascar’s baobab trees

Endemic to Madagascar, Africa and Australia, the baobab trees appear unique due to their wide trunks and spindly branches. What might be their source of origin and what threats do they face?

A new study has uncovered the origins of baobabs, the distinctive tall deciduous trees often found on the island of Madagascar.

The study (‘The rise of baobab trees in Madagascar’) from researchers in the UK, China and Africa was published in Nature. 

Baobab Trees

The trees belong to the genus Adansonia, which comprises eight distinct species. Adansonia digitata found in continental Africa, Adansonia gregorii in Northwestern Australia, and six other species endemics to Madagascar.

  1. Origin of Lineage: According to DNA studies, the trees first arose in Madagascar 21 million years ago.
  2. Their seeds were later carried on ocean currents to Australia and also to mainland Africa, evolving into distinct species.
  • Keystone Species: Species whose addition to or subtraction from an ecosystem leads to major changes in abundance or occurrence of at least one other species.
  • It plays role in structure, functioning or productivity of a habitat or ecosystem.
  • Examples-All top predators like Lion, Tiger, Crocodile, Elephant.
  1. Characteristics: Baobabs are known for their great heights, with some extending up to 50 metres, and exceptionally long lifespans going up to 2,000 years.
  2. In India too, a few baobab trees exist, including one near the Golconda Fort in Andhra Pradesh that is believed to be more than 400 years old.
  3. Keystone Species:  It is a Keystone Species which provide “essential resources, such as food or shelter, for a guild of animals in return for which the guild of animals provides an essential service, or mobile links, such as pollination or diaspore dispersal.”
  4. The absence of keystone species can have destabilising effects on entire ecosystems, given their centrality to them.
  5. Significance: In local cultures, the trees are revered because of the multiple uses their parts have, with the fruits and seeds being edible, the seed oil used for cooking and the bark fibre for clothing.
  6. They are also called “upside down” trees because their tops resemble an uprooted plant turned upside down.
  7. The baobabs play an important biological role in the conservation of ecosystems of which lemurs, sunbirds and hawk moths are important constituents.

Findings of the Study

  1. Risks of Extinction: Three baobab species native to Madagascar are at risk of extinction, as indicated by the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species.
  2. According to the IUCN, these include residential and commercial development, livestock farming and ranching, which require clearing land.
  3. The remaining three are listed under the Least Concern category, meaning they do not face significant threats.
  4. However, their population is declining indicating that more rigorous conservation strategies are needed. For this, a detailed understanding of the genetics of baobabs is needed.
  5. Vulnerability Assessment: The study highlighted that climate change will pose “severe threats” leading to its extinction before 2080.”
  6. An evaluation of Adansonia suarezensis and Adansonia grandidieri indicated significant recent inbreeding.
  7. This suggests that due to their unique ecological niche and limited genetic diversity, they are likely to exhibit “reduced resilience to ecological perturbations and habitat fragmentation.”

Critical Tiger Habitat

Recently, the Supreme Court has ordered the Rajasthan government to shutter 68 mines operating within a 1-kilometre periphery of the critical tiger habitat (CTH) of the Sariska reserve.

Critical Tiger Habitat:

  1. It is also known as core areas of tiger reserves—are identified under the Wild Life Protection Act (WLPA), 1972.
  2. These are based on scientific evidence that “such areas are required to be kept as inviolate for the purpose of tiger conservation, without affecting the rights of the Scheduled Tribes or such other forest dwellers”.
  3. The notification of CTH is done by the state government in consultation with the expert committee constituted for the purpose.

Key facts about Sariska Tiger Reserve

  1. It is located in the Alwar district of Rajasthan. It is well nestled in the ARAVALI HILLS.
  2. It is the first reserve in the world to successfully relocate tigers.
  3. It is also famous for old temples, palaces, and lakes such as Pandu Pol, Bhangarh Fort, Ajabgarh, Pratapgarh, Siliserh Lake, and Jai Samand Lake.
  4. Topography:It possesses a rocky landscape, scrub thorn arid forests, grasses, hilly cliffs, and semi deciduous wood.
  5. Vegetation:The vegetation of Sariska corresponds to Northern Tropical Dry Deciduous Forests and Northern Tropical Thorn Forest.

Flora: Dhok trees, salar, kadaya, gol, ber, Banyan, gugal, bamboo, kair, adusta, etc.

Fauna: A variety of other wild animals, like the leopard, sambhar, chital and nilgai etc

India to facilitate the first-ever focused working group discussions on Antarctic tourism at the 46th Antarctic Treaty Consultative Meeting (ATCM) in Kochi

India is set to play a pivotal role in facilitating the first-ever focused discussions on regulating tourism in Antarctica at the 46th Antarctic Treaty Consultative Meeting (ATCM) and 26th Meeting of the Committee for Environmental Protection (CEP). The occasion was graced by the presence of Union Minister Shri Kiren Rijiju, Ministry of Earth Sciences (MoES), today. National Centre for Polar and Ocean Research (NCPOR), Goa under Ministry of Earth Sciences, and the Antarctic Treaty Secretariat will organize these meetings in Kochi, Kerala, from May 20 to May 30, 2024. The gathering has over 350 participants from nearly 40 nations.

The ATCM and CEP are high-level global annual meetings conducted in accordance with the provisions of the Antarctic Treaty, a multilateral agreement of 56 Contracting Parties signed in 1959. During these meetings, member countries of the Antarctic Treaty discuss issues pertaining to the science, policy, governance, management, preservation and protection of Antarctica. The CEP was established under the Protocol on Environmental Protection to the Antarctic Treaty (the Madrid Protocol) in 1991. The CEP advises the ATCM on environmental protection and conservation in Antarctica.

  • India has been a Consultative Party to the Antarctic Treaty since 1983. With the other 28 Consultative Parties, India has a crucial role in governing Antarctica’s scientific exploration and environmental protection.
  • It has the right to propose and vote on decisions and resolutions made during the ATCM in matters of administration, scientific research, environmental protection, and logistical cooperation​.
  • Further, it can establish research stations, conduct scientific programs and logistic operations, enforce environmental regulations and access scientific data and research findings shared by Antarctic Treaty members.
  • The Contracting and Consultative Parties are responsible for compliance with the Antarctic Treaty, environment stewardship, promoting scientific research, and maintaining Antarctica as a zone of peace, free from military activity and territorial claims.
  • The ATCM is administered through the Antarctic Treaty Secretariat headquartered in Argentina.
  1. “Antarctica represents one of the last frontiers of wilderness and scientific discovery. As stewards of this extraordinary region, it is our collective responsibility to ensure that all activities, including research and tourism, are conducted in a manner that preserves its ecological integrity for future generations.
  2. India is honored to lead this crucial initiative at the 46thATCM, which is expected to bring a series of actionable recommendations to be incorporated into the broader framework of the Antarctic Treaty System.”
  3. India, being a committed member of the Antarctic Treaty System, recognizes the pressing need to address the growing tourism activities in Antarctica and their potential impact on the continent’s fragile environment.
  4. With the number of tourists visiting Antarctica increasing significantly over the past few years, tourism has become a front-burner issue, making it crucial that comprehensive regulations be framed to ensure the sustainable and responsible exploration of this unique and pristine region.
  5. India has advocated for a comprehensive, proactive, and effective tourism policy anchored in precautionary principles.
  6. Discussions around regulating tourism have been ongoing in ATCMs since 1966, but these have been agenda items, sessions, papers, or resolutions.

A dedicated working group for regulating tourism in Antarctica has been formulated for the first time at the 46th ATCM, hosted by India.

  1. India has a legal framework to regulate India’s activities in Antarctica, including tourism, through the Indian Antarctic Act enacted in 2022.
  2. “The Indian Antarctic Act aligns India’s tourism regulations with international standards and collaborates with other Antarctic Treaty nations to achieve common conservation goals.

India hosted the 10th SCAR (Scientific Committee on Antarctic Research) conference themed ‘Antarctica in a Changing World’ for the first time in 2022 and contributed to the International Polar Year celebrations.

  • There have been 11 Indian expeditions to the Southern Ocean, and one each in the Wedell Sea and South Pole. In 2007, India hosted the 30thATCM in New Delhi, underscoring its commitment to the Antarctic Treaty System. India also collaborated with Norway and the UK to study the Antarctic ice shelf and ice rise, and drill ice cores for climate studies.
  1. “Over the past four decades, India has established itself as a significant player in Antarctic research, environmental stewardship, and international cooperation within the framework of the Antarctic Treaty System.”
  2. India will also provide a platform to discuss the possible induction of Canada and Belarus as consultative parties to the Antarctic Treaty System. Canada and Belarus have been signatories to the Antarctic Treaty System since 1988 and 2006, respectively.
  3. India’s involvement in facilitating discussions for the induction of new consultative parties aligns with its broader objectives of promoting scientific research and international cooperation in Antarctica.

“The collaborative efforts of nations within the Antarctic Treaty System are crucial in preserving the pristine environment and advancing scientific research in Antarctica. Through its leadership and commitment, India continues to play a key role in shaping the future of Antarctic governance,” said Ambassador Pankaj Saran, who was elected as the Chairperson of the 46th ATCM and 26th CEP.

First Indian space tourist completes flight: What are sub-orbital trips?

The recent Blue Origin journey was a sub-orbital space flight, meaning it did not get into an orbit around the Earth. However, plans are afoot for having deeper space trips in the future, potentially to destinations around the Moon, other planets or asteroids.

Recently, India-born aviator and commercial pilot Gopi Thotakura was among the six space tourists who undertook a short recreational trip to space.

Space Tourism

part of the aviation industry that offers people the chance to experience space travel for fun, relaxation, or business.

  1. Growth of Space Tourism: Space tourism has rapidly expanded in recent years. In 2023, the market was valued at $848.28 million, and it is projected to soar to $27,861.99 million by 2032.
  2. Cost of Spaceflight: According to Space.com, a journey on a Virgin Galactic spacecraft, costs about $450,000 (about Rs 3.75 crore).
  3. Recent tourism space flights: Virgin Galactic, founded by British entrepreneur Richard Branson in 2004, saw Branson and five others take a brief trip to the edge of space on the VSS Unity spaceship in July 2021.
  4. Blue Origin,established by Jeff Bezos in 2000, successfully completed its first human spaceflight with four private citizens aboard the reusable New Shepard rocket on July 20, 2021. The flight reached an altitude of about 107 km.
  5. SpaceX’s Inspiration4 marked the debut of SpaceX’s tourism business in September 2021. The Falcon 9 rocket launched a Crew Dragon spacecraft with four civilians, the first all-civilian space flight, to an altitude of 575 km.
  6. Types of Space Tourism:Space tourism can be categorized into two main types: sub-orbital and orbital.

Sub-Orbital Trips

  • Suborbital flights lack the speed needed to enter orbit. Without sufficient energy to reach orbit, they follow a parabolic trajectory, ascending and then descending. This is known as a suborbital space mission or suborbital flight. These flights may be short, but they offer passengers amazing views of Earth and a few minutes of weightlessness, which can be a big draw for space tourists. Example: New Shepherd mission of Blue Origin

Sub-orbital Spacecraft: The sub-orbital spacecraft carries passengers slightly beyond the Kármán line, which is located approximately 100 kilometers above mean sea level. This line is recognized as the boundary between Earth’s atmosphere and outer space.

Importance of Suborbital Flights

  1. Microgravity Research:Suborbital flights offer valuable opportunities for microgravity research, as they provide conditions where people or objects seem weightless.
  2. They could serve as an alternative to the parabolic flights conducted by space agencies to simulate zero gravity.
  3. Zero Gravity, or Zero-G, refers to the state of weightlessness.
  4. Enhanced Flight Access for Innovation: Increased access would result from high projected flight rates, allowing for more opportunities for design innovation and experimental manipulation.

Orbital Space Flight

  1. About:An orbital spacecraft must reach orbital velocity; Orbital velocity is the speed an object needs to stay in orbit around a planet. To orbit 125 miles (200 kilometres) above Earth, a spacecraft must travel at 17,400 mph (28,000 km/h).
  2. The orbital spacecraft transports passengers well beyond the Kármán line.
  3. Extended Duration:Typically, passengers can spend anywhere from a few days to over a week at an altitude of nearly 1.3 million feet.
  4. For instance, in September 2021, SpaceX’s Falcon 9 transported four passengers to an altitude of 160 km, where they orbited the Earth for three days.

Karman Line

The Kármán line, an imaginary boundary separating Earth’s atmosphere from outer space, is located 100 km (62 miles) above sea level. Named after aerospace pioneer Theodore von Kármán, the concept was established in the 1960s by the Fédération Aéronautique Internationale (FAI). An aircraft that crosses the Kármán line is designated as a spaceflight, and anyone who crosses this line is considered an astronaut.

  1. Flight Dynamics Across the Kármán Line:Below the Kármán line, flight is governed primarily by aerodynamic principles, while above it, orbital mechanics take precedence.
  2. Challenges at the Kármán Line for Aircraft: At the Kármán line, the atmosphere becomes extremely thin. Conventional aircraft, which depend on wings to generate lift by pushing against air, cannot operate effectively at these high altitudes.
  3. Spacecraft Propulsion:Beyond the Kármán line, spacecraft require their own propulsion systems to maintain trajectory and counteract the remaining atmospheric drag, albeit minimal.

Punganur Cow Breed

The Punganur cow is an indigenous breed native to the Punganoor, Vayalapadu, Madanapalli, and Palamaneer talukas of Chittoor district in the Rayalaseema region of southern Andhra Pradesh.

Characteristics and features of the Punganur cow

  • The Punganur cow breed is named after the town of Punganur in the Chittoor district, located in the south-eastern part of the Deccan Plateau.
  • These Punganur cows are white and light grey in color with a broad forehead and short horns. They are small, with an average height of 70–90 cm and a weight of 115–200 kg.
  • The cows produce an average of 3 to 5 liters of milk per day and eat about 5 kg of food daily. They are very good at surviving in dry conditions and can live on dry fodder alone.
  • Some features of the Characteristics and features of the Punganur cowbbreed include:
  1. Color: White and light grey
  2. Forehead:Broad
  3. Horns:Short
  4. Height: 70–90 cm
  5. Weight:115–200 kg
  6. Milk Production (Average Yield):3 to 5 liters per day
  7. Smallest Breed:Punganur cows are considered to be the world’s smallest humped cattle. 
  8. Population Data: According to the 20th Livestock Census conducted in 2019, the total number of Punganur was recorded at 13,275, which included 9,876 pure and 3,399 graded heads of cattle.
  9. Highest Population States in Pure Breed Category: Andhra Pradesh (8,806), followed by Telangana (977), Karnataka (66), Kerala (15), Maharashtra (6), and Tamil Nadu (6). 
  10. Highest Population States in the graded category: Andhra Pradesh (2,725), followed by Telangana (399), Karnataka (351), Tamil Nadu (10), and Kerala (4).

Conservation Efforts for Punganur Cows

  1. Financial Support: The Andhra Pradesh government has provided financial support through its budget for the promotion of the Punganur cow breed.
  2. The Centre has sanctioned funds for the establishment of Gokul Gram at the P V Narasimha Rao Telangana Veterinary University, Hyderabad for the promotion of Punganur and other indigenous breeds of cattle in Telangana.
  3. National Kamdhenu Breeding Centre (NKBC):The NKBC for the southern region has been established at Chintaladevi, Nellore, in Andhra Pradesh.

Genetic Drift

Genetic drift, not natural selection, was recently identified as the main factor driving speciation in endangered pupfish species.

Genetic Drift:

  1. It is one of the basic mechanisms of evolution.
  2. It takes place when the occurrence of variant forms of a gene, called alleles, increases and decreases by chance over time in a population.
  • This occurs due to random sampling and the random events that influence the survival and reproduction of those individuals.
  • These variations in the presence of alleles are measured as changes in allele frequencies.
  1. Small populations are more susceptible to genetic drift than large populations, whose larger numbers can buffer the population against chance events.
  2. Once it begins, genetic drift will continue until the involved allele is either lost by a population or until it is the only allele present in a population at a particular locus.
  3. Both possibilities decrease the genetic diversity of a population.
  4. It could also cause initially rare alleles to become much more frequent, and even fixed.
  5. Genetic drift is common after population bottlenecks, which are events that drastically decrease the size of a population.

In these cases, genetic drift can result in the loss ofrare alleles and decrease the gene pool.

Genetic drift can cause a new population to be genetically distinct from its original population, which has led to the hypothesis that genetic drift plays a role in the evolution of new species.

Genetic Drift vs Natural Selection:

  1. Genetic drift is the converse of natural selection.
  2. The theory of natural selection maintains that some individuals in a population have traits that enable them to survive and produce more offspring, while other individuals have traits that are detrimental and may cause them to die before reproducing.
  • Over successive generations, these selection pressures can change the gene pool and the traits within the population.
  • Thus, organisms that are more adapted to their environment are more likely to survive and pass on the genes that aided their success. This process causes species to change and diverge over time.

Unlike natural selection, genetic drift describes the effect of chance on populations in the absence of positive or negative selection pressure.

16132